New VW CrossBlue Coupe Concept Previewed Ahead of Shanghai Show Debut

Here's yet another crossover concept from a German carmaker that's set to debut at the 2013 Shanghai motor show. After the BMW X4 and Mercedes’ GLA concepts announced for the Chinese venue, we now have news from Volkswagen.

The Wolfsburg-based automaker will be bringing its own interpretation of the coupe-crossover formula to the show, in the form of the CrossBlue Coupe Concept, which is a sportier and more rakish-looking interpretation of the original idea – it probably also ditches the third row of seats too.

Hinting at the future design direction for the brand, it could herald the arrival of some more interesting VW models in the future. Also, being based on the MQB platform, like the first CrossBlue concept, it is most likely previews the next-gen Tiguan, or possibly a Tiguan-based coupe-ish model.

Power comes from a turbocharged V6 engine, which aided by two electric motors putting out a combined output of 415 PS (409 hp). According to German magazine AMS, it reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.9 seconds, has an all-electric range of 33 km and only uses around 3 l/100km, which equates to 78.4 mpg US or 94.1 mpg UK.

Judging from the design sketches/renderings posted below, it is a very aggressive machine, which looks like it may be aimed at the same crowd as the X4. Does this mean V-dub is considering making such a vehicle under its own name, or is it just pointless hype building up to another common-looking model, which will have very little in common with the concept? As is always the case, time will tell.